This study identified five distinct types of married couples from a sample of 6,267 couples, using the marital inventory ENRICH. Profiles were derived using a three-stage cluster analytic procedure, including an exploratory cluster analysis, a replication of the exploratory results, and a cross-validation. The five-cluster solution was robust. Vitalized couples (12%) reported high relationship quality on all dimensions. Harmonious couples (11%) had relatively high relationship quality. Traditional couples (16%) had scores that were slightly above average with markedly higher scores on parenting and religious scales. Conflicted couples (25%) were characterized by moderately low scores on all but the roles scale. The Devitalized couples (36%) had the lowest scores on every ENRICH dimension.

This study identified 4 types of engaged couples from a sample of 5,030 couples, using the premarital inventory PREPARE. Profiles were derived using a 3-stage clustering analytic procedure, including an exploratory cluster analysis, a replication of the exploratory results, and a cross-validation analysis. All indicated that the 4-cluster solution was the best. The Vitalized couples (28%) reported high scores on all dimensions. Harmonious couples (27%) had moderately positive relationship quality. Traditional couples (23%) had moderately low intrarelationship scores but scored higher on scales assessing planning for marriage. Conflicted couples (22%) were characterized by pervasively low scores.

Once your church or community has a trained and
certified PREPARE/ENRICH professional, you might
consider establishing a Marriage Mentor Program
to help premarital couples get more preparation or married couples get the assistance
they need for healthier relationships.